Pacific Policing

SO100 Themes & Perspectives in Sociology

Prerequisites: Admission into Undergraduate Programme or approval of Head or nominee
Semester 1: O at C Semester 2: Not offered
In this course students will gain some initial understanding of the development and structure of society as viewed by sociologists, together with a preliminary understanding of sociological approaches and concepts (to be built on further in SO122 and SO200). There will be special, but not exclusive, attention to Pacific
societies.

SO122 Classical Sociological Theories & Methodologies

Prerequisites: Admission into Undergraduate Programme
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: O at C
This course aims to show the underpinnings of classical sociological theories as well as the philosophical and methodological problems faced by sociologists in their attempts to understand and explain social
phenomena. By critically examining the work of such key sociologists as Durkheim, Weber, Marx, and C. Wright Mills, the course attempts to generate greater understanding of researchable issues facing contemporary society as well as how to gather objective data on them. The course is a pre-requisite for higher
level sociology courses.

SO200 Modern Social Theory

Prerequisites: SO100 or SO122
Semester 1: O at C Semester 2: Not offered
The course expands on the theoretical concepts and themes covered in SO100 and SO122 and gives special emphasis to the examination of the concept of modernity and its implications for social analysis and research. It traces the attempts made by 20th (and 21st)-century social thinkers to expand, refine and further develop the legacies of classical social theories and assesses their relevance in the contexts of the Pacific Island societies.

SO201 Society, Culture & Change in the Pacific

Prerequisites: SO100 or approval of Head or nominee
Semester 1: O at C Semester 2: Not offered
From sociological and anthropological perspectives this course critically examines ‘society’, ‘culture’, ‘tradition’ and ‘change’ as contested notions. It critically explores tensions and dynamics between perceptions and representations of the ‘traditional’, ‘modern’ and ‘western’ in relation to processes of change within Pacific Island societies. The course discusses Pacific Islander cosmologies, religious beliefs, ritual, space and place. It discusses how individual and communal agency and Pacific Island beliefs, histories
and cultures interlink with wider national, regional and global processes in nation-building, national identity, religious nationalism, tourism, the environment, climate change and early and contemporary patterns of
migration.

SO207 Families, Sexuality & Change in the Pacific

Prerequisites: SO100 or SO122
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: O at C
From sociological and anthropological perspectives this course critically examines vital and challenging contemporary issues in relation to family life in Pacific Island societies. Contested notions of ‘culture’ and ‘tradition’, tensions and dynamics between what is perceived as ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’, and the shifting power relations between sociocultural structures and practices are critically analysed. Individual and communal agency is critically analysed as interconnected with historically situated local, national, regional and global processes.

SO212 Race & Ethnicity

Prerequisites: Any 100 level course in SO, DG, HY, JN, LW, PL, PS or SW
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: O at C
Ideas about race and ethnicity influence how we answer questions about who am I, who are we, how we treat difference. We examine the how and why of this influence, and its consequences for living in diverse societies. What shapes racial and ethnic relations? How are social inequalities and political conflicts organized along racial and/or ethnic lines? How do other categories of difference (class, sexuality, gender, indigeneity) intersect with race and ethnicity? How can civic conflict be mitigated in the context of plurality and diversity? We examine these questions by focusing on race and ethnicity in Oceania and elsewhere.

SO300 Research Methods in Sociology

Prerequisites: SO200 and any other sociology 200 level course
Semester 1: O at C Semester 2: Not offered
In this course students will engage with: 1) Methodological approaches by which we manage the challenges of researching human interactions and actions, social structures and processes, and worldviews and perspectives; 2) Ethical questions in conducting sociological inquiry; 3) Processes by which research into socio-economic and political life is designed, developed and conducted; and 4) Qualitative and quantitative tools to analyse data collected in social research. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply research methodologies to design and conduct their own social research and critically evaluate the research they encounter in other social sciences and in the mass media.

SO301 Sociology of Public Policy & Administration

Prerequisites: SO200
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: O at C
This course examines the social dynamics and pressures that influence public policy and its administration. A theoretical introduction will deal with the role of the state in articulating and implementing public policies and their administration. It encourages students to select contemporary public policy issues and its administration in poverty, education, health, social welfare, economic development, gender, civil societies, and environment in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

SO303 Advanced Sociological Theory

Prerequisites: SO200
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: O at C
This course examines the moral, political and ideological implications of sociological theories.How are they linked to our social world? How can we use sociological theory to explain and improve the world we live in? Building on key theories examined in S0100, SO122 and S0200, this course will attempt to “liberate” sociological theory from its specialised, exclusivist and isolated tendencies and provide it a central place in public debates in relation to political, social, economic and ethical issues of our time. Students will explore in depth interventions made in such theoretical domains as Postmodernism, Postcolonial Theory, Jurgen Habermas, Critical Race Theory, Feminism, Queer Theory and the contributions made by Pacific sociologists.

SO304 Religion & Politics in Contemporary Society

Prerequisites: SO201
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: O at C
SO304 traces the theoretical development of sociological and anthropological definitions and theories of religion. It links the centrality of religion in Pacific Island societies at everyday life and national political levels with wider interconnected regional and global processes. It discusses the increasing polarisation of progressive and fundamentalist views within and between the world religions; religion and social justice; secularisation, religion and the media, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation. Contested notions of ‘culture’ and ‘tradition’ and tensions and dynamics between what is perceived as ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ are critically examined in relation to power relations in social and cultural processes. Contemporary individual and communal agency at local levels is critically analysed as interconnected with historically-situated local, national, regional and global processes.

SO311 Crime & Deviance

Prerequisites: Any 200 level course in SO, DG, SW, PP and LW
Semester 1: O at C Semester 2: Not offered
Popular discourses on crime and deviance often focus on ideas of good and evil individuals. In this course, we critically question these discourses by looking at the socio-economic, cultural and political structures and processes in PICs which shape 1) how crime and deviance are defined and regulated by societies 2) why crimes and deviance are committed; and. 3) who are punished, how much and why. We also examine the social and ethical implications of the answers to these questions in terms of both increasing safety and security, as well as reducing injustices in the criminal justice system in the PICs.

SO401 Theories of Social Inequality

Prerequisites: Admission into the Postgraduate Programme
Semester 1: B at C Semester 2: Not offered
This course extensively explores the importance and relevance of various sociological theories for understanding social inequality in its multidimensional nature. It critically examines the relevance of these theories in comprehending contemporary society and the challenges it faces. The historical trajectories of key theoretical traditions will be closely examined, emphasizing the continuity and evolution of their theoretical underpinnings. Central to this exploration is a critical evaluation of a range of social theories, including Marxism, Critical Theory, Functionalism, Max Weber, and Pierre Bourdieu. The course particularly highlights the value of these theories for understanding various dimensions of social inequalities, such as economic inequality, educational inequality, gender inequality, ethnic inequality, and inequality at the international level, with a specific focus of social inequalities in the Pacific Island region. Through critical analysis and engaging discussions, students will develop a nuanced perspective for comprehending and addressing some of the most pressing issues in society.

SO408 Issues in Social & Public Policy

Prerequisites: Admission into the Postgraduate Programme
Semester 1: O at C Semester 2: Not offered
This course explores key issues, concepts, and theoretical elements of social and public policy process. The role of political-economic ideology, power and social position and their influence on social policy are considered. In addition, the role of the state and governments, interest groups, civil society and international actors will also be examined. The course also brings into focus, local Pacific examples of social and public policy debates and practices. The course requires students to apply knowledge and skills gained, in analysing a specific contemporary social/public policy issue in the Pacific.

SO409 Social Development

Prerequisites: Admission into the Postgraduate Programme
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: O at C
Provision of human well-being and social needs is usually seen as a desirable goal of development. However, in many countries, contestations over the purposes, priorities and sequencing of development, have resulted in subordination of social development to economic growth imperatives. This course looks at competing paradigms, histories, and practices of development. It further critically analyses the causes, manifestations and effects of poverty and inequality, and their intersections with diversity, especially gender and ethnicity. It also considers appropriate action that various social sectors take in conjunction with larger global efforts to arrest the crises spawned by economic growth oriented development practices.

SO415 Contemporary Social Issues

Prerequisites: Admission into the Postgraduate Programme
Semester 1: Not offered Semester 2: Not offered
While early 21st century has seen some progressive global responses in dealing with a myriad of human needs, the outcomes of contemporary development efforts continue to be a paradox of increasing economic prosperity for a few in the midst of multiple crisis of deepening inequality, environmental degradation, human rights abuses, and democratic deficits of governance institutions. Moreover, concern has increased over impacts of migration, tourism and tensions relating to race and ethnicity around the globe in recent years. This course examines these issues as well as the different policy and civic actions employed in confronting them.